Akira Yamaguchi is a Japanese artist classically trained in traditional Japanese painting (Yamato-e). He has mastered an incredibly refined style of the old Japanese masters, creating large-scale, detailed oil and watercolor paintings.

However, his works require 2nd and even 3rd looks as you will most certainly see something you didn’t expect. Yamaguchi’s paintings are filled with humorous symbols and cynical jokes that create a complex narrative critiquing history. He appropriates a 17th century style but embeds the works with his own modern, fantastical elements. “Show the Flag” (above) depicts men going off to battle with archaic weapons but also with motorbikes, rifles and missile launchers.

Yamaguchi had a pretty great 2012. He staged a solo exhibition in Tokyo and participated in a group show on contemporary Japanese art in Moscow. And just last month a book of his recent work was published – the first of its kind in 8 years. I’m hoping to see more of him in 2013.

Top: front and back cover of Yamaguchi’s new book. Below: 2 spreads from his new book.images courtesy Yoshio Suzuki | click to enlarge